The Smith's Recommend...
Food within walking/biking distance
These are places we like to bike or walk to for a quick bite.
We love to get pie and coffee then take it over to the park and eat by the lake. Save a few bucks and get a day-old slice...just as good, but it will double your pie budget!
Pistachio Pie Bakery
4118 Jackson BlvdWe love to get pie and coffee then take it over to the park and eat by the lake. Save a few bucks and get a day-old slice...just as good, but it will double your pie budget!
When my parents visit they walk over to Common Cents for coffee and donuts every morning. They take it to the park with them and eat on a bench by the water.
Common Cents Store & Deli
3501 SD-44When my parents visit they walk over to Common Cents for coffee and donuts every morning. They take it to the park with them and eat on a bench by the water.
We love walking out to Piesano's on nice summer evenings. You can walk through the park to the corner of Jackson Blvd and Canyon Lake Dr, then follow Canyon Lake all the way there. Or...you can map a short cut through the neighborhoods across Jackson.
Or just drive. Either way, their Pizza is amazing. And their calzones are big enough to split. (If we walk/bike over, we usually also grab dessert at DQ!)
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Piesano's Pacchia
3618 Canyon Lake DrWe love walking out to Piesano's on nice summer evenings. You can walk through the park to the corner of Jackson Blvd and Canyon Lake Dr, then follow Canyon Lake all the way there. Or...you can map a short cut through the neighborhoods across Jackson.
Or just drive. Either way, their Pizza is amazing. And their calzones are big enough to split. (If we walk/bike over, we usually also grab dessert at DQ!)
On summer nights we walk or bike over to Dairy Queen for ice cream. (Or stop over after we've eaten at Piesano's.) You can get there by cutting through the park to Canyon Lake Dr. or by mapping a route through the neighborhood across Jackson Blvd. (Going through the neighborhood is a bit shorter)
Dairy Queen
3535 Canyon Lake DrOn summer nights we walk or bike over to Dairy Queen for ice cream. (Or stop over after we've eaten at Piesano's.) You can get there by cutting through the park to Canyon Lake Dr. or by mapping a route through the neighborhood across Jackson Blvd. (Going through the neighborhood is a bit shorter)
Marco's has more than pizza. It's great for delivery, pick up or eating in the clubhouse/on the patio overlooking the golf course.
If you are ordering pizza check online for a coupon!
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Marco's Pizza
3625 Jackson BlvdMarco's has more than pizza. It's great for delivery, pick up or eating in the clubhouse/on the patio overlooking the golf course.
If you are ordering pizza check online for a coupon!
Our Favorite Food Downtown
We love downtown Rapid City. These are our favorite places to eat downtown.
Jambonz is a well kept secret. The food is good, the service is quick and friendly. There is often live music in the evenings. The cornbread is delightful. It's one of our favorite places in town.
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Jambonz Deux
740 Mountain View RoadJambonz is a well kept secret. The food is good, the service is quick and friendly. There is often live music in the evenings. The cornbread is delightful. It's one of our favorite places in town.
We like to go to (kol) for half price pizza. Weekdays from 4-6 you can get a heck of a deal and it is delightful! They've also got a killer Sunday brunch.
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(kol)
504 Mt Rushmore RdWe like to go to (kol) for half price pizza. Weekdays from 4-6 you can get a heck of a deal and it is delightful! They've also got a killer Sunday brunch.
Botticelli is our favorite Italian place in town. I've never ever had anything bad here.
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Botticelli
523 Main StBotticelli is our favorite Italian place in town. I've never ever had anything bad here.
Obviously Tally's is a Rapid City classic. Their breakfast is amazing...which is why there is usually a wait on weekend mornings. You can put your name in and leave a phone number then take a walk around, or explore the Alex Johnson. It's worth it.
My favorite menu item is the Pecan Vanilla Granola. **Pro tip...It's not listed on the menu, but you can create an omelet with any ingredients you'd like. Just tell your waitress/waiter.
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Tally's Silver Spoon
530 6th StObviously Tally's is a Rapid City classic. Their breakfast is amazing...which is why there is usually a wait on weekend mornings. You can put your name in and leave a phone number then take a walk around, or explore the Alex Johnson. It's worth it.
My favorite menu item is the Pecan Vanilla Granola. **Pro tip...It's not listed on the menu, but you can create an omelet with any ingredients you'd like. Just tell your waitress/waiter.
Maybe not the most authentic Mexican in town, but we definitely enjoy it
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Que Pasa Cantina
502 Main StMaybe not the most authentic Mexican in town, but we definitely enjoy it
Lots of people rave about Armidillo's, but Silver Linings is better. And usually quieter. It's seriously so. so. so good.
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The Silver Lining Creamery
512 Main StLots of people rave about Armidillo's, but Silver Linings is better. And usually quieter. It's seriously so. so. so good.
Other Favorite Eats
These are misc favorite places around town and the hills.
You won't find tourists at Ron's. Only locals know about this gem. It might be the very best breakfast in town (shhh...don't tell Tally's). It's cheap and fast and so SO good. The catch is, it's only open M-F 7am-2pm.
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Ron's Café
2332 W Main StYou won't find tourists at Ron's. Only locals know about this gem. It might be the very best breakfast in town (shhh...don't tell Tally's). It's cheap and fast and so SO good. The catch is, it's only open M-F 7am-2pm.
For a fancy dinner out go to Juniper. The food is seasonal and made in small batches. A reservation is required, but it's pretty easy to get in.
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Juniper
523 6th StreetFor a fancy dinner out go to Juniper. The food is seasonal and made in small batches. A reservation is required, but it's pretty easy to get in.
The food at Prairie Berry is awesome. It makes a great lunch or dinner out, since they are open until 8pm.
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Prairie Berry Winery
23837 US-385The food at Prairie Berry is awesome. It makes a great lunch or dinner out, since they are open until 8pm.
In the hills we really like Powder House. The views are fantastic and the location is so convenient after a day of sightseeing.
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Powder House
24125 US-16AIn the hills we really like Powder House. The views are fantastic and the location is so convenient after a day of sightseeing.
If you go up to Spearfish get Leone's. That's all. You won't regret it.
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Leones' Creamery
722 N Main StIf you go up to Spearfish get Leone's. That's all. You won't regret it.
This is a hidden gem. If you're out this way, go get some.
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Lintz Brothers Pizza
14287 SD-36This is a hidden gem. If you're out this way, go get some.
Our favorite place in Custer! Just be sure to get there close to opening because they. are. busy!! Also check their hours, because they can be kind of funny.
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Black Hills Burger and Bun Co
441 Mt Rushmore RdOur favorite place in Custer! Just be sure to get there close to opening because they. are. busy!! Also check their hours, because they can be kind of funny.
Bumpin Buffalo Bar and Grill
245 Main StGood burgers and general eats.
Expect a wait if you are here during tourist season. My best recommendation is putting your name in, then going for a walk around town. At dinner they pretty much only have steak on the menu, so don't be surprised! Just be sure to stay for dessert....it's way good!
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Alpine Inn
133 Main StreetExpect a wait if you are here during tourist season. My best recommendation is putting your name in, then going for a walk around town. At dinner they pretty much only have steak on the menu, so don't be surprised! Just be sure to stay for dessert....it's way good!
Coffee
I love coffee dates. So I've been to all the places. Here are favorites in Rapid City.
Super cute and super delightful. Everything on the menu is great. And they do a special Waffle Wednesday.
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Harriet & Oak
329 Main StSuper cute and super delightful. Everything on the menu is great. And they do a special Waffle Wednesday.
Revel Coffee House
719 Omaha StI love the Revel Latte
This is just a drive thru, but locals love it--for good reason. Their syrups and milks are all made in house. I love the Cafe Miel made with hazelnut milk.
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Dixon Coffee Company
915 Omaha StThis is just a drive thru, but locals love it--for good reason. Their syrups and milks are all made in house. I love the Cafe Miel made with hazelnut milk.
Attraction Pro Tips
I love sightseeing. Here are our favorite places/hikes and insider tips.
Did you know Thomas Jefferson brought ice cream to America? Mt Rushmore is one of only 2 places in the US that you can get ice cream made with his original recipe. It is SO GOOD! And it only comes in vanilla, but don't let that fool you. Also, it's big enough to share. Seriously...they give you so much.
Also, don't miss the museum under the grand view terrace. It's so well done. I have gone a million times and still love it.
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244Did you know Thomas Jefferson brought ice cream to America? Mt Rushmore is one of only 2 places in the US that you can get ice cream made with his original recipe. It is SO GOOD! And it only comes in vanilla, but don't let that fool you. Also, it's big enough to share. Seriously...they give you so much.
Also, don't miss the museum under the grand view terrace. It's so well done. I have gone a million times and still love it.
Tours fill up fast! Call ahead to reserve a spot or make sure you are there earrrrrly!
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Wind Cave
Tours fill up fast! Call ahead to reserve a spot or make sure you are there earrrrrly!
This is a favorite with lots of people for a reason. It is breathtaking. We love hiking Sunday Gulch. The short hike around the lake is also beautiful and doable for all levels of hikers (even for the littlest of legs.)
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Sylvan Lake
This is a favorite with lots of people for a reason. It is breathtaking. We love hiking Sunday Gulch. The short hike around the lake is also beautiful and doable for all levels of hikers (even for the littlest of legs.)
Pactola is absolutely beautiful and underrated. There's a swimming beach. It's clean and usually not very crowded. If you are wanting to swim, do it here instead of Sylvan Lake. (There is a small entrance fee)
Hikes around Pactola are also awesome.
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Pactola Lake
Pactola is absolutely beautiful and underrated. There's a swimming beach. It's clean and usually not very crowded. If you are wanting to swim, do it here instead of Sylvan Lake. (There is a small entrance fee)
Hikes around Pactola are also awesome.
Press Start is like your coolest best friend's basement...in the 1980's. It's retro and nostalgic and super cheap. We usually change $5 each and play for an hour or so. It's bar-like at night, but family friendly during the day and evening.
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Press Start
504 Mt Rushmore RdPress Start is like your coolest best friend's basement...in the 1980's. It's retro and nostalgic and super cheap. We usually change $5 each and play for an hour or so. It's bar-like at night, but family friendly during the day and evening.
This drive never disappoints. You should totally do it. But here's the pro tip...Donkeys were used to carry supplies to build the Harney Peak fire tower. After construction was completed the donkeys were turned loose in the park and their descendants still live in the park today! On the loop you'll probably see some. They are semi-wild, semi-tame and will let you pet them. We like to take carrots/celery/granola bars to give them treats. Just be careful, once they see you've got food they'll start shoving their noses thru your windows!
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Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road
Wildlife Loop RoadThis drive never disappoints. You should totally do it. But here's the pro tip...Donkeys were used to carry supplies to build the Harney Peak fire tower. After construction was completed the donkeys were turned loose in the park and their descendants still live in the park today! On the loop you'll probably see some. They are semi-wild, semi-tame and will let you pet them. We like to take carrots/celery/granola bars to give them treats. Just be careful, once they see you've got food they'll start shoving their noses thru your windows!
You should go to the Badlands. If you are in the Hills area and have the time, it's worth it. You should see this in your lifetime. Drive the loop, hike a couple short trails at the pull offs. It's unique and stunning. Also, pop in to Wall Drug for some free water and a pretty darn awesome collection of tourist T-shirts.
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Badlands National Park
You should go to the Badlands. If you are in the Hills area and have the time, it's worth it. You should see this in your lifetime. Drive the loop, hike a couple short trails at the pull offs. It's unique and stunning. Also, pop in to Wall Drug for some free water and a pretty darn awesome collection of tourist T-shirts.
Shopping
Skip the souvenir shops. Go here instead.
Adorable. If you are into book shops, you'll like this one.
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Mitzi's Books
510 Main StAdorable. If you are into book shops, you'll like this one.
This is my VERY favorite place to buy gifts. Don't be fooled by the name. They've got the cutest decor, vintage maps, stationary, and nifty gifties.
Perfect Hanging Gallery
621 Main StThis is my VERY favorite place to buy gifts. Don't be fooled by the name. They've got the cutest decor, vintage maps, stationary, and nifty gifties.
Revival has lots more than just clothing. They've got drool-worthy interior items and often have great sales.
Revival
607 Main StRevival has lots more than just clothing. They've got drool-worthy interior items and often have great sales.
This store is so much fun! I love going in and my little loves looking around too.
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Who's Toy House LLC
512 Main StThis store is so much fun! I love going in and my little loves looking around too.
If you are into quirky and antiques, take a stroll thru Holy Terror. It's like the room of requirement from Harry Potter.
Holy Terror Antiques
1201 Swanzey StIf you are into quirky and antiques, take a stroll thru Holy Terror. It's like the room of requirement from Harry Potter.
If you are going to buy any Black Hills swag you should do it here. The designs you'll find are fresh and designed by a local artist. Skip the gift shop hoodies, T's and knick knacks and buy from Bonnie instead. I LOVE this shop.
Bonzeye Studio
616 West StIf you are going to buy any Black Hills swag you should do it here. The designs you'll find are fresh and designed by a local artist. Skip the gift shop hoodies, T's and knick knacks and buy from Bonnie instead. I LOVE this shop.